Stenciling machine



lseptA 11, 192s.

Inl/en far im 5 Sheets-Sheet l L. A. THATCHR sTENcILING MAcHxNE Flled May 18, 1926 i i N 1 I- @Em MMR..

U A s w Sept. 11,' 1928. 1,683,635

L. A. THATCHER` STENCILING MACHINE A Filed May 18, 1926 3 sheets-sheet 2 A 7" arney sept. 11, 1928.v 1,683,635

L. A. THATCHER STENCILING MACHINE Filed May 18, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 In Ver? for:

Paamea 11, 192e TUNIT'ED STATES PATENT oFFlcE. 1

LINDEN n TnATcHER, or EELLEVILLnNEW JERSEY, as sIeNon. To UNnEEwoon i ELLIQTT FISHER COMPANY, 0E NEW Yoan, N. Y.,- A coEroEATIoN or DELAWARE STENGILINGCHINE.'

Application inea may 1s,

l,This invention relates to stencil-printingv duplicating machines, and more particularly to improvements in the well-known Underwood revolving duplicator as shown and described in the 'pending application of Edward y G. Rowley, tiled Jfune 24, 1924, Serial No. 7i.l,98':?, now Patent No. 1,618,309, dated Feb. 22, 1927.

In the present Underwood revolving du- 10 plicating machines, the sheets that are to receive #a stencil impression are fed manually to a position where the leading-in edge of a sheet enters between the stencilingcylinderand a co-operating platen-roller, and by a -single revolution of the stencil-carrying cylinder the sheet is picked up andfed mechanically to the delivery side of the machine. A machine of this nature requires correct timing between the entrance position of the l 2 0 leading-inedgeof the sheet and the initial stenciling line on the cylinder, and hence every revolution of the cylinder in a stenciling direction should-be arrested at a fixed stop position, which position also becomes the initial starting position of the next following sheet. This. cylinder stop includesa pallet having a pair ofstop elements, one of which operates to arrest the cylinder at the end of a stenciling operation, and the other stop automatically shifts to becomeea backstop to prevent a reverse rotation of the cylinder, in the manner disclosed in the patent to James E. Shaver, Jr., No. 1,583,803, datedvMay 11, 1926.'

' The usual duplicating machine providesa' table with aside-edge guide to receive a pile of work-sheets at the introductory side of the cylinder and the operator slides the topmost sheet into the feedingposition of the cylinder. This mode of operation .promotes irregular stenciling execution, due sometimes to a delay in the cylinder picking up a sheet or sometlmes causing a cornerwise entrance of a sheet, and hence a positive regis- `tration between the stencil and work-sheet, so essential for neatness .and effect, cannot` be maintained dueto 4the imperfect control of 1926. Serial No. 109,833.

which is a source o f erator.

annoyance tothe hopi @ne feature of the present invention provides means that are operative automatically the platen-roller, which free rotary move` `ment of the cylinder is arrested by a stiopmember controlled by the work-sheet. This arrangement provides that, while the cylinder is locked against rotation in one direction,

it may be rotated in a reverse direction only a limited distancethat vis insuflicient to bring the inked stencil into Contact With the platenroller.

This inactive l gap in the surface of the cylinder between the stenciling element and the platen-roller may also be em lo ed for a'novel method of delivering work-slieets to the cylinder.A Instead of manually feeding a work-sheet to pass between .the cylinder and the platen-roller,.which promotes uncertain` results, supplemental feeding means are provided to mechanicall feed a`work sheet between the 4cylinder-and platen-roller. The surface travel of the supplemental feed-rolls may be vequal, to the surface .travellof the cylinder and platen-roller', and hence the travel of the work-sheet towards, the cylin-f der will synchonize with the rotarysurface travel of the cylinder, andthe work-sheet will be picked up without any distortion or displacement thereof. When" the proper control of the work-sheet by the cylinder is assured, the supplementalfeed is rendered -inactive, and the cylinder and platen-roller complete th work-sheet feeding operation.

To time the entrance of the work-sheet to theV initial stenciling position, stop-pins are positioned to pass through the introductory table of the machine a predetermined distance from the gripping position of the platen-roller `and inst inside the supplemental feed-rolls. These feed-rollsare normally separated, so that the worksheet may be freely-introduced therebetween with the ico leading-in edge engaging said stop-pins. The imtial rotation of the cylinder from its normal stop position closes the supplemental feed-rolls to feed, and simultaneously withdraws the stopins to permit theA advancement of the wor -sheet tothe stenciling position. These feed-rolls, in becoming effective to feed after said sheet has been manually advanced between said rolls and against the stop-pins, provide a mechanical control of the sheet until the stenciling cylinder and the platen-roller jointly become. sheet-feeding elements during the stenciling operation.

In some prior machinesythe platen-roller is normally out of engagement with the stenciling cylinder and the introduction of a work-sheet to the machine requires mechanism that automatically raises the roller for a co-operative movement between the cylinder and the stenciling element. Such machines -require a positive train of gears to transmit motion from the rotating cylinder to the c-operative platen-raising parts, which results 1n a` noisy operationn 'and an expensive yand complicated structure to manufacture and maintain. In the present invention the platen-roller, during a stenciling perid, 1s constantly inspring-pressed rolling engagement with the face of the cylinder or the face of the work-sheet, and the power derived from this frictional surface engagement of the platen-roller is transmitted to drive ,a series of feed-rolls, and re-y quires no complicatedtiming devices, except that said driven feed-rolls have a diameter similar tQ the diameter of the platen-roller. said rolls and the platen-roller having a constant rotary movement during the entire ro.- tation of the cylinder. The timing elements include a cam adjustably fixed vto the cylinder and a eacting trip on .the frame operable to vibrate companion feed-rolls into feeding relation with the cylinder-driven feed-rolls for an operative feeding period necessary to carry a work-sheet to the platen-roller and then release the work-sheet, the extent of this intermittent` or feed-stopping motion of the companion feed-rolls being predetermined automatically by said cam.

Another feature includesv a cylinder sto pawl on thev frame that is normally in t e path of a part securedv to the cylinder and operable by the cam-actuated trip to swing clear of said part if a sheet-feeding movement accompanies the rotation of the cylinder, but, if the cylinder is rotated without the insertion of the work-sheet, said pawl is automatically released to intercept the rotatinlg cylinder before the leading edge, of the in ed stencil can reach the platen-roller and soil the' face thereof with ink. To this end, when the stop-pins are withdrawn by the action of the cylinder-cam to permit the passage of the Work-sheet to the laten-roller. the action of the cam releases t e trip to rethis manner the stop-pins perlorm a double function, one function for leadinf in stops for the inserted work-sheet, and another function for controlling the movement of the cylinder stop-pawl through the premature arrest of the released stop-pins by the worksheet after said work-sheet has passed into feeding position between the rotating cylinder and its co-operative platen-roller.

Another feature includes a cam-actuated connection to the vibratory 'feed-rolls that is flexible in its character,L so that said feedrolls will automatically render themselves operable to positively feed a thin`work-sheet or a thicker postal-card. It is obvious that such a flexible connection, which, in the present Case, is a compression spring, may also include adjustable features to increase or decrease the pressure required to positively control a work-sheet until the cylinder and the platen-roller have assumed feeding control of said sheet.

Another important feature includes the manner et applying these pew features to a standard Underwood product with very little if 'any change in the standard machine.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

ln the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a side elevation of the Underwood duplicating machine, showing the present invention operatively attached thereto and with portions of the frame broken away.

Figure 2 is a reduced top plan view to diaammatically illustrate the relative posit-lons of the lower paper-feeding rolls, paper stop-pins, platen-roller and the side guide to a work-sheet.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the vmachine with the stenciling cylinder and the papertable, removed. l

Figure 4 is a skeleton side view of the operative parts moved from the normal inoperative positions of\Figure l to operative positions where the work-sheet has been advanced to the stenciling position, the cylinder stop shifted to an inoperative position, and the stencil about to engage with the worksheet. J

Y Figure 5 shows the parts of Figure 4 further advanced in a stenciling direction where the feeding control of the work-sheet has passed to the control of the platen-roller, the supplemental rolls rendered inoperative to feed, and the cylinder stop held in an inoperative position through the abutment of the work-sheet leading-in paper-stop against the under face of the work-sheet. F1gure 6 shows the cylinder advanced without a prevlously-inserted work-sheet and the leading-in stop-pins having -nothing to check l operating handle and its carrier, showing the manner of 4adjusting the carrier to the cylinfor a rotatable cylin webbed head 18 at one end thattakes a center f der to vary thel normal position of the'stenciling elementto the stenciling position.j The frame of the'` machine includes two upright side frames 10 and 11 joined together atthe base by front and rear cross-bars 12 and 13, respectively, and provided with four rubber cushionfeet 14. The side frame 11 terminates at a hub 15 provided with a stud 16 projecting inwardl` to providea bearing dI r 17 that includes a bearing upon the stud 16, and an open annular head 19 at the opposite end formed with a peripheral track 20VIV that rides upon three anti-friction rolls 21 carried on the'side frame 10, said rolls vbeing .disposed so that the weight of this end of the cylinder will be carl ried by the lower center roll 21 and the cylirider heldin aligned position by "the two upper rolls 21 secured to extension-arms of the frame-end 10. The two cylinder-heads 18 and 19 are conditionedto be joined by a sheetmetal cylindrical section'22 formed with per- Vforations in al conventional manner to supply ink to a fabric covering on the outer face of the cylinder. The cylinder as `a. unit may be withdrawn from the machine by the manual release of suitable cylinderretaining means secured tofthe frame-end 10, similar to that slown in the aforesaid Rowley application. v c

-In the present invention the supply side of rthe machine is at the left side of Figure 1,

and the cylinder is rotatable in a counterclockwise direction to carry the worksheet to the delivery side at thel rear of the machine. Manual cylinder-rotating means includes a handle 23, secured to a carrier 24 slidably mounted 0n the side of the annular head 19 held in osition by a band 24a encircling said head with the ends thereof secured to said carrier, and clamp-screws 25to clamp the carrier at any position along said head predetermined by the character of the worksheet. Means to arrest ther cylinder at the end of each revolution thereof includes two stop-lugs 26 and 27 forming a part yof the carrier 24 and a co-operating pallet 28 that includes two stop-arms 31 and 32 normally spring-pressed against a stop-pin 2,9 by a spring 30. During the stenciling rotation of the cylinder the lug 27 engages and cams the A arms35 lfor the ends'of the shaft i I r nothing to prevent the cylinder from having a counterclockwise rotation, and nothing to the path of the advanc- 1tis obvious under these pin 29', and the stop-arm 31 thereprevent the inked stenciling element, when rotated without a work-sheet, from soiling theface .of the platen-roller 33.k If, however, it is desirable at any time to rotate the cylinder in a clockwise direction, a linger-piece 28a is provided to lift `the arm 32 and withdraw the stop-arm 31 from the path of the stop-lug 27.--`

The platen-roller 33 is positioned directly undery the axis of the cylinder 17 and prefer' ably ,during a s'tenciling period is always in rolling Acontact therewith throughout its length. This roller 33 may have a soft pliable bodycarried by a shaft 34 projecting through each end of the roller to take roller bearings within the free end of an arm 35 at each end vofthe roller, which arms are mounted upon a stationary rod 36 and -held against displacement thereon between bosses .on ,the frame and collars on the rod. In thus roviding that each arm 35 shall have-in ependent swinging movement upon the rod 36, en-roller becomes self-adjusting-to the l face of the cylinder under a suitable spring-tension, presently to appear. l

It -will be noted that the bearings in the at the top, so that the platen-roller 33,1nay be readily removed for cleaningor other purposes.

37 is arod connecting the two arms 35, and at the center thereof is a link 38 connecting below with a crank-,arm 39 fixed onI a rockshaft'40 taking bearings within ears 41 depending from the lower 'edge of each side frame 10 and 11. This shaft 40 may be rocked by a lever 42 secured to the shaft outside the frame and including a finger-piece 43 and a tongue 44. `A latch 45 pivotally hung upona screw 46 engages the tongue 44 on saidlever 42 when the latter is depressed, as shown at Figure 1 and may be formed with a key 47 to withdraw the latch 45 to release-the -lever 42 to theaction of a restoring spring 43n t'cnsioned between an ear on the latch and an ear on the lever. The depression of the lever 42 to its locked position the plat` 34' are open loo (Figure 1) rocks the shaft 40, the crank-arm 17, and, after a stenciling period, this pressure should be removed to avoid thc formation of a Hat spot on the roller 33, the key 47 operating, as described, to release and lower said roller to an inoperative position.

A description of the mechanism up to this` point is practically thesame as that disclosed.

in the afore-mcntioned Rowley application.

The present invention includes the lengthening of one end of the platen-roller shaft 34 to receive a gear 48 secured thereto outside the adjoining arm 35. The platen-roller 33,' through its surface engagement with the cylinder 17, becomes a driving element for the gear 48A that is in toothed engagement with an idler gear 49, loosely mounted upon one end of the rod 37, to communicatevthe same rotary movement of the gear 48 to a gear 5() secured to the end of a shaft 51 having bearings in the two arms 35. It is desirable that both gears 48 and 50 have the same pitch diameter, so that the rotation of the roller 33 will synchronize with the rotation of the shaft 51, that carries a series of feedrolls 52 to provide a surface travel for said rolls that is equal to the 'surface travel of the roller 33.

The usual supply table 53 is formed with four )erforations 54 to give clearance for four feed-rolls 52 that operatively have their paper-feeding faces in `alignment with the upper face of the table 53. The feed rolls include a flanged barrel-section 52 to receive rubber rings seated therein, and a hub 55 that may be secured to the shaft 51 by suitable screws. Y

To render rolls 52 operative to feed a Worksheet, companion pressure-rolls 56 rotate upon a rod 57 in alignment with the rolls 52 and are swingable into and out of engage- .,ment therewith. .This swinging movement 1s induced by securing the ends of the rod 57 to the ends of two arms 58 and 59 -positioned adj aeent the inside walls of the two frames 10 and 11 and secured to a rock-shaft 60 underlying the supply table 53, and having bearings at each end in the side frames, the Varm 59 having an extension 61 that terminates at a perforated ear62, bent at right angles to said extension. A push-rod 63 `passes through a perforation in the ear 62, and the end'thereof may be threaded to receive two check-nuts 64 to bear against one face of the ear 62, while a spring 65 maybe adjusted around the rod and compressed between said ear and a collar 66 on said rod. The rod 63 extends rearwardly, where the free end is secured to an arm 67, secured to a rock-shaftGS extending across the machine and having end bearings in the two frames l() and 11. The

-shaft 68 projects through said frame 10, and

the free end carries an arm 69 provided with a roller 70 at its free end.

The description up to this point provides that, when the arm 69 is vibrated by means e,formed with a cam-face 72 and a dw'ellface 73. The roller 70, riding over the camface 72, brings the rolls 56 and 52 into coaction, but the rod 63 continues to move forwardly, and, by the time Said roller 7 0 reaches the dwell-face 73, the spring 65 is compressed and the check-nuts 64 have been moved from` their contact with the ear 62, as shown in Figure 4, giving the rolls 56 a fiexibility predeterminedby the compression of the spring, to compensate for varying thicknesses of worksheets. To restore these several parts when the roller drops off the dwell 73, as shown at Figure 5, the arm 67 may be connected by a spring 67 a, secured to the frame, to rock the shaft until checked by a stop-pin 69 strikingma'lip 69b in the arm 69. 'lhe feeding interval of the rolls 56 and 52 depends upon the length of the dwell 73, to carry the leading-in edge of the work-sheet from a fixed initial l position to pass to the control of the rotatin cylinder and associated platen-roll, as wi presently appear.

A rock-shaft 74 extends across `the machine between the two side frames 10 and 11, and carries two arms 75 positioned within said frames with their free ends extending forwardly to support a rod 76 connecting the j two arms. v This rod 76 may be provided with a plurahty of pins 77 rising verticall from the rod to enter guide-holes 1n a crossar 78, and then pass upwardly through clearance holes in the table 53, to project slightly above the table. 'These pins 77 operate as leadingin stop-pins by arresting and aligning the leading-in Hedge of the work-sheet, and, to properly position the edge of the sheet to the pins the two side frames 10 and'll to shield the operators hands from the inked surface of the stencil, is slightly changed' at the inner longitudinal vedge to `form a narrow paperchute, through which the ends of the pins 77 To control the movement of the stop-pins 77, a crank-arm 80 may be secured to the outer end of the rock-shaft 74 and formed with a short arm 81 to abut the lip 69b of the arm 69, and has alink-connection 82 to one arm 83 of a bell-crank'lever pivoted to the face of the frame 10 and formed with a cylinder stoparm 84. A spring 85 tends to hold the arm 83, normally `lagamst a stop-pin 86, and, through the connections 82 and 80 to the rock-shaft 74 and to the arms 75 secured thereto, holds the stop-pins77 in the. raised desirable that the pressure of the stop-pins 77 against the under face of the work-'sheet shall be as light as possible, and in this connection it will ,be noted `that the several `-parts are arranged-upon both sides of the rock-shaft' l74, to ycounterbalance each other, and the parts, as a unit, are practically in equipoise, and hence require only the very light spring o85 to restore the stop-arm 84 at one side-of the shaft 74, and the stop-pins 7 7 at the oppo` site side of said shaft. L

At Figure 1, the machine is shown with the parts at normal positions for a stenciling operation with the lever 42 depressed and locked to lift the platen-roller'33 into feeding y Contact with the, face of the cylinder 17 work-sheet 87 may be laid upon, the table 53,

i 67", pushes the rod 63 to-rock the sha pushed forwardly between the open feedrolls 52 and 56 to bring the leading-in edge thereof against the pins 77, and shifted sidewise, so that one side edge will rest against a side guide 88. The handle 23 is pushed in a direction away from the operator to rotate the cylinder, the initial rotary movement thereof causing the roller 70 to rideover the inclined face V72 of the cam-plate 71 to rock the shaft 68. The rocking of this-shaft 68 rocks the arm 67 forwardly tollex. the sptriig 0, vibrates the rolls 56 against the top face of the work-sheet, and renders the two series of feed-rolls 56 and 52 Operative to feed said sheet vunder the pressurederived from the compressed spring 65. The rocking of the shaft 68 also vibrates the arm 69 to engage with the arm 81, which rocks draw the arms 75 downwardly to remove the pins 77 from the path of the leading-in edge of the work-sheet to be fed toward the platenroller 33. Simultaneously,\the rock-shaft 74 swings the arm 8O and the connection 82 upwardly to vibrate the bell-crank and remove the stop-arm 84 thereon from the path of the advancing stop-pin 84a. During this initial movement of the cylinder 17, the platen-roller 33 and the feed-rolls 52 have been rotated ineffectively, and the leading edge 22u of the stenciling element has been vadvanced toward the platen-roller. Further rotation of the 'cylinder causes the roller 70 to ride over the dwell-face 73 and the work-sheet is fed forward and between the face of the cylinder and the face of the platen-roller. The stop-pin 84a has passed the locking position -for the stop-arm 84, and the leading edge 22u of the stencil is about to be rotated into contact with the top face of the work-sheet to begin a stenciling operation. The roller 70 now passes from the dwell 73 of the cam-plate 71, and, under the influence of the spring 67, the

' operative position,

- stop-arm 84 is shifted the shaft 74, to"

. in the associated shaft 68 is rocked reversely, and, through the connections to the shaft 60, the vibratory feeding rolls 56 are raised to their normal inas shown in Figure 5. While the feed-rolls 52 continue to rotate with the platen-roller 33, they are ineffective to .feed the work-sheet, and the subsequent feeder 33. `During thisinitial feeding movement of the work-sheet, the stop-arm 84 is held out ,of the path of the stop-pin 84, andthe related parts are so timed that `the stop-pin 84a passes the position of the stop-arm 84, and the pins 77 are brought 'into contact with the face of the work-sheet^ until the end of the sheet is reached, when they are fully restored and the d to a. position to intercept the stop-pin 842-l du-ring the next rotation of the cylinder. Thecylinder is rotated 1until the lug 27 cams the stop-arm 31 outwardly to vibrate the companion stop-arm 32 into the path of the advancing lug 26, which arrests the rotation of the cylinder, and, as soon as the pressure is removed from the handle 23, the spring 30 `will withdraw the am 32 and the arm 31vwi11 pass-to the rear 0 for the next rotation in a stenciling direction, but checking a 4reverse rotation thereof ing operation is carried on by the platen-rollthe lug 27, thus conditioning thecylinder space fora heading may be increased by shifting the carrier 24 a eater distance from the leadingledge -22a of t e inked stencil.

From this description it is obvious that'if cylinder 17 is rotatedin a stenciling di-. rection without irst inserting-a work-sheet,

the

the roller 70 will be actuated by the cam 71, an the pins 77 and the stop-arm'84 will be wit rawn, but the roller 70 will drop from the dwell 73 to permit the stop-arm 84 to be restored tonormal postition in time to intercept the stop-pin 84, and thus arrest the rotation of the cylinder before the edge 22 of the inked stencil` has reached the face of the platen-roller 30, and it willl be impossible for sald inked stencil to soil the face of said roller 30, except by abusing the operation of the mac'hlne, as by vibratingpthe stop-arm 84 manually out of the path'of the stop-pin 84".

It will be noted that the `relation ofthe roller 70 to the cam-plate 71 provides that the series of pressure-rolls 56 be4 brought into contact with the work-sheet, and any excessive movement of the rod 63` is absorbed by compressing the spring 65 afterthe rolls 56 have been shifte to Ya position of rest against the paper, and this excess inmotion will compensater for any structural-varition parts without close adjustments, and further allows the rolls 56 to automatically adapt themselvesto varying-thickness by work-sheets. l

At the end of a stenciling period', the key i 47 may be depressed to withdraw the latch 45 from the tongue 44 of the lever 42, and permit the lever to respond to the action of the spring 48EL and to the force of gravity of the platen-roller 33 and the `feed-rolls 52 suspended from the rod 36, to swing the lever 42 to a raised or normal stop position where the tongue 44 will be arrested by a stop-member 89 forming an integral part of the latch 45. The downward stroke of thekey 47 is arrested by a stop-pin 90 in the side face of the frame 10. Thel dropping the platen-roller 33 to a normal inoperative position provides Wthatfthe roller may be readily removed from the open bearings at the ends of the arms 35 1 for cleaning purposes, and further provides that an ear 91 on the link 38 will engage with and depress the rod 76 to withdraw the ins 77 and actuate the connections to the llcrank 83 to swing the stop-arm 84 thereof out of the path of the stop-pin 84, to permit the cylinder to be rotated in either direction `during the adjustment of a new stencil or an inkabsorbing fabric to the cylinder.

VIt will, of course, be understood that ink is applied to the inside perforated face ofthe cylinder to cover an area predetermined by the area of the stencil; that the platen-roller passes from-the end of the work-sheet being stenciled, directly to the clean uninked sur- -face of the fabric stretched around the wholev outer face of the cylinder; and that with the preventive featuresherein set forth, where mechanism controlled by the work-sheet predetermines the extent of initial rotation of the cylinder prior to the stenciling impress,

the operator is relieved of the usual annoycam-plate 71, and becomes a driving unit ance of reproducing ink-smeared stenciled records, v

It will be noted that the handle 23 has a fixed relation to the carrier- 24 and to the to convey rotary movement to the stenciling `cylinder; that the handle 23 is arrested ant a normal stop position at the lowest point of its rotation, which is themost etlicient point for a manual movement by hand; that the carrier and handle are adjustable around the edge of the cylinder to increase or de- V qcrease the `distance separating the leading edge of the stencil from the carrier, a distance predetermined by the blank heading of the/work-sheet to be stenciled; that the adjustment of the carrier to the cylinder does not change the normal or initial stop position for the carrier and handle; that the operator faces Figure 1 and with the left hand feeds the blan forms one by one to the stop-pins 77, while the right hand grasps the-handle 23 to rotate the cylinder, and with such'a mode of operationr it is never necessary for the operator to release the handle 23 during a successionfof stenciling operations; and that successive stenciling operations become practically continuous unbroken cylinder rotations with the added advantage of havlng Athe inking precautionary factor controlled ;the cylinder to feed a work-sheet through a stenciling position, said machine also having, in combination, supplemental cam-closed work-sheetffeeding rolls driven Vby the impression-roller and operable to advance the work-sheet into the bite of said stencil-cylinder and impression-roller, said stencil-cylinder havin timing means for controlling the drivinr o said supplemental rolls by means of sai impression-roller.

2. A stenciling machine having a sheetfeeding couple including a rotatable stencilcarrying cylinder and a platen-roller always in rolling frictional engagement with the cylinder to feed a work-sheet through a stenciling position, and also having, in combination, supplemental cam-closed work-sheetfeedin rolls driven by the laten-roller and operab e to advance the wor '-sheet in unison with the advanceing stencil on the cylinder to the stenciling position, said cylinderv having an adjustable timing means for controlling the work-sheet-feeding mechanism. c

3. AV stenciling machine having a sheetfeeding couple including a rotatable stencilf carrying cylinder and a platen-roller always in rolling frictional engagement with the cylinder to feed a work-sheet through a stenciling position, and also having, in combination, supplemental cam-closed work-sheetfeeding rolls driven by the platen-roller and arranged first to become operable to advance the work-sheet to the cont-rol ofthe stenciling elements and then become inoperative as work-sheet-feeding elements, said stencilcylinder having timing means for controlling` the driving and release of the supplemental rolls in feeding the work-sheet to the bite between the cylinder and the platen-roller.

4. In 'a stenciling machine having a sheetfeeding cou le including the combination of a rotata le stencil-carrying cylinder, a platen-roller always in operative frictional engagement with the face of the cylinder to derive a rotary movement therefrom to feed a work-sheet in stenciling, normally inoperative cam-closed work-sheet-feeding elements driven by the platen-roller, and means ,carried by the cylinder and operable durine the initial rotation thereof to render the lfeeding elements effective to advance the worksheet to a stenciling position, and then refeeding couple inc lease the work-sheet to the feeding control l of the cylinder and roller, said means including timmg cams on the cylinder. I,

5. In a stencilin machine having a sheet- ?uding the combination of a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder, a platen-roller always in operativefrictional en- Y feeding couple inc gagement with the face of the cylinder to derive a rotary movement therefrom to feed a work-sheet in stenciling, Worksheet-feeding means including a feed-roll positively driven by the platen-roller and a pressure-roll therefor normally separated from said feed-roll for the insertion of a ment with the face of the cylinder to derive ara'ted from the feed-rolls for the tereof to a rotary movement therefrom to feed a worksheet in stenciling, work-sheet-feeding means includinga plurality of feed-rolls `geared to the platen-rollerto rot-ate'therewith and aseries of pressure-rolls therefor normally sepinsertion of a work-sheet, and means carried by the c linder and operable during the rotation effect the vibration of the pressureu rolls into worksheet-feeding relation with the feed-rolls to advance the work-sheet to a -stenciling position, said pressure-roll-vibratlng means including timlng cams operative to determlnethe extent of sheet-feeding.

` feeding couple including the combination of a rotatable stencil-carrylng cylinder, a platen-roller always in operativefrictional engagement with the face of the cylinder to derive a rotary movement therefrom to feed a work-sheet in stenciling, worksheet-feeding elements driven by the platen-roller, pressure-rolls over said feeding elements, normally open for the insertion of a'work-sheet between them, and means carried by the cylinder includinga cam that becomes operative through intermediate mechanism to force the pressure-rolls into sheet-feeding engagement to advance the work-sheetto a stenciling position, saidcam also determining the pressure-roll-feeding distance for ythe #workf f sheet.

8. In a stenciling machine havin a sheet,- feeding couple, the combination o? a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder mounted on a frame and `having a free initial rotary movement between stops in-advanceof a' sten- `ailing position determined by a platen-roller y work-sheet, and means carried by the cylinder and operable during.

always in operative frictional engagement with'the face of the cylinder, and mechanism v rotated with the cylinder and Aco-operative with means on the frame controlled by a work-sheet to ensure a 'full rotation of the cylinder in a stenciling direction.

9. In a stenciling machine, the combinaL tion of a rotatable stencil-.carrying cylinder having a free initial rotary movement in advance of a stenciling' position, a platen-roller always in operative engagement with the face of the cylinder to determine the stenciling position, a camming element rotatable with the cylinder, and cam-actuated mechanism operable during the free movement of the cylinder, to arrest or release the cylinder adjacent the stenciling position according to'a predetermined plan.

v10. In a stenciling machine, the combination 'of a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder having a free initial rotary movement in advance of a stenciling position, a platen-roller always in operative engagement withthe face of the cylinder to determine the stenciling position, a'stop to arrest the rotation of the cylinder in a stenciling direction and in advance of the stenciling position, and means rotated with the cylider and co-operative with mechanism on the frame to render the stop either operative or 'inoperative during the free movement of the cylinder according to a predetermined lan.

11. In a stenciling machine including a stenciling cylinder having a free rotary movement between a normal stop position and a stencil-preventing stop position, the combination of' feeding means to advance a WorkT sheet to be stenciled, and mechanism con,-I trolled by the work-sheet and operatively connected to the stencil-preventing stop to release the cylinderfor a full stenciling rota- 7. In a stenciling machine having a. sheettion.

l2. In a stenciling machine including a stenciling cylinder having a free rotary movement between a normal stop position and a stencil-preventing stop position, the combination of feeding means to advance a Work-sheet ment between a normal stop position and a stencil-preventing stop position, the combination of feeding means to advance a work-sheet to be stenciled, and leading-in stop-pins that are operative to first gage the Work-sheet to the feeding means and subsequently are controlled by the feeding work-sheet to render the stop inoperative to prevent a stenciling rotation of the cylinder.

14. In a stenciling machine including a stenciling cylinder having a free rotary moveloo . nient between a noimal stop position and a (ill stencil-preventing stop position, the combination of feeding means to advance a work-sheet tobe stenciled, leading-in stop-pins that are operative to gage the work-sheet to the feeding means, and mechanism actuated by the rotatiiig cylinder that operates to withdraw the pins to release the work-sheet to the feeding means, said pins being subsequently released to the control of the work-sheet to determine the extent of rotation of the cylinder.

15. In a Stenciling machine including a stenciling cylinder having a free rotary movement between a normal stop position and a stencil-preventing stop position, the combination of feeding means to advance a work-sheet to be stenciled, leading-in stop-pins that are operative to gage the work-sheet to the feeding means, a cam rotatable with the cylinder, and mechanism actuated by the rotation of the cani that operates to withdraw the pins to release the work-sheet to the feeding' means, said pins being Subsecpiently released tothe control of the w'orlr-s ieet to determine the extent o`f rotation of the cylinder.

16. In a stenciling machine including a stenciling cylinder having a free rotary movement between a normal sto position anda stencil-preventing stop position, the combination of feedinnr means to advance a worksheet to be stenciled, leading-in stop-pins that are operative to gage the .work-sheet to the feeding means, and a cam rotatable with the cylinder and operable' to render the worksheet-feeding means effective, simultaneously withdraw the pins from the path of the sheet, and subsequently release the pins to the control of the work-sheetto promote a full rotation of the cylinder.

17. In a stenciling machine including a stenciling cylinder having a free rotary movement between a normal stop position and a stencil-preventing stop position,the combination of feeding means to advance awork-sheet to he stenciled, leading-in stop-pins that are operative to gage the work-sheet to the feeding means, and a cam rotatable with the cylinder and operable to render the work-sheetfeeding means effective and withdraw the pins from the path of the sheet, said cam including a dwell facey o erative during the continuous rotation of t e cylinder to time the subsequent release of the pins to the control of the feeding work-sheet and render the stop ineffective to arrest the rotation of the cylinder.

18. In a stenciling machine including a rotatable stencil-earryin cylinder, the combination. of a platen-ro ler always in frictional engagement with the cylinder and coriditioned to feed a work-sheet through a stencili'ng position, a supplemental feed-roll cony ditioned to be positively rotated bv the cylin- ,der-rotated platen-roller, and a normally-ineffective pressure roll having connections that are rendered operative yby the rotation of means on the cylinder to bring the roll into Y co-operation with the rotating supplemental feed-roll to advance the work-sheet to the Stcnciling position.

v19. In a stenciling machine including a ciling position, a supplemental feed-roll con-` ditioned to be positively rotated by the cyliiider-rotated platen-roller, and anormally-ineffective pressure roll having connections that are rendered o erative by the rotation of means on the cy indei to bring the roll into co-opcratioii with the rotating supplemental feed-roll to first advance the worksheet to the stenciling position and then become inoperative to feed after the cylinder and platen-roller have become work sheetfeeding elements.

9.0. In a stenciling machine including a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder, the combination of a platen-roller always in frictional engagement with the cylinder and conditioned to feed a work-sheet through a stenciling position, a supplemental feed-roll conditioned to be'positively rotated by the cylinder-rotated platen-roller, a normally-ineffective pressure roll operable to co-operate with the supplemental feed-roll to feed the work-sheet to the stenciling position, and a cumming element rotated with the cylinder and operative eisV through intermediate connections to the pres- 10 sure roll to'effect the feed of the work-sheet for a redetermined interval.

21. n a stenciling machine including a rotatable cylinder and an inked stencil thereon to be rotated therewith from a normal positio` to a stenciling position, the combination of a laten-roller always in engagement with the cylinder to determine the stenciling position, work-'sheet-feeding means to advance a sheet to the stenciling position to receive a stencil impression, and mechanism controlled by the work-sheet to prevent the stencil from subsequently re-entering the stenciling position after the completion of the stenciled work-sheet.

22. In a stenciling machine including a rotatable stencil-carrying cylinder, the combination of a platen-roller always in engagement with the cylinder and conditioned to feed a work-sheet through a stenciling sition, and a pair of supplemental work-s eetfeeding rolls, one roll always rotatable with the platen-roller and the other roll condilois tioned to be pressed into worksheet-feeding engagement with the first-named roll during the initial rotating movement of the cylinder,

- sheet to the feedin inder.

23. In a stenciling machine including a rotatable sten'cil-carryin cylinder, the com-- bination of a platen-ro er alwa s in worksheet-feeding engagement with t e cylinder, a series of feed-rolls rotated by the platenroller, a series of. normally-inoperative pressure rolls that may be rendered operative to co-operate with the feed-rolls to feed ,a workcontrol of the platenroller, a camming e ement rotated with the cylinder, and mechanism on the frame that is operable by the cam, including a resilient connection to operate the pressure rolls and compensate for varying thicknesses of worksheets. l

24. In a stenciling machine includin a rotatable cylinder, the combination of a shiftable frame underlying the cylinder, worksheet-feeding including` a'platen-roller to engage the surface of the cylinder and a series of^feedrolls rotated by the platen-roller, a shift-key operable through mechanism connected to the frame toraise the platen-roller and feedrolls into operative relation to the cylinder, and a latch to engage the key and hold the frame in its raised position during a continuous stenciling interval.

25. In a stenciling machine includin a rotatable cylinder, the combination of a shlftable frame underlying the cylinder, worksheet-feeding including face of t a platen-roller to eng e cylinder and a series o ge the surfeed-rolls rotated by the platen-roller, a shift-key operable through mechanism connected to the frame to raise the platen-roller and feed-rolls into operativeA relation to the cylinder, and alatch operative at one position thereof to lock the depressed key and hold the frame 1n a raised operative position and at another position to arrest the released key and assume `lthe weight of the frame` when the latter is` shifted out Iof operative relation to the cyl- 26. In a stenciling machine including a rotatable stencil-ca 'ng cylinder, thecombination of a platen-roller always in work-v sheet-feedin enga ement with the cylinder, a series of eed-ro s rotated by the platenroller, a series of pressure rolls operative to be pressed into engagement with the feedrolls for a joint work-sheet-feeding movement, Aa series of leadin -in .tween the feed-rolls and t e laten-roller to gage the work-sheet relatively rolls, a camming element rotatable with the cylinder, and mechanism actuated'. by, the

camming element, while bein vrotated by the cylinder, to withdraw the ending-in pins, andrender the pressure rolls operative to ef.- fect the feeding of the work-sheet to the control of the platen-roller.

27. In a stenciling machine including a cylinder rotatable between a normal stop and means carried by the frame.

means carried by the frame lextent of the blank Stop-pins be-` to the feed! a stenciling-prevention stop operable to arrestthe' cylinder in advance of a stenciling position, the combination of a platen-roller that is in frictional engagement With the surface ofthe cylinder and determines the sten-- ciling position of the cylinder, work-sheetfeeding mechanism operable by the rotating the rotating cylinder. v

28. A stenciling'machine including a rotatable stenciling cylinder, a work-sheet-support co-operating with said cylinder to advance a work-sheet past the stenciling posi'- tion', work-sheet feeding means in advance of said support, work-sheet-stops arranged between said support and said feeding-means, means for rendering said stops inoperative, and means for throwing said feeding means out of operation while said'stops are in their Ainoperative position.

29. A stenciling machineincluding a rotatable stenciling cylinder, a work-sheet-support co-operating therewith to advance a sheet past the stenciling position, a feedroller in advance ofsaid support, av pr'essureroller mounted on a rocker-arm so as to -be capable of movement toward and away fromv ias said feed-roller, a cam on said cylinder, a

second rocker-arm controlled by said cam, and a resilient connection between said rocker-arms f to permit the pressure-roller to press yieldingly against said feed-roller to feed work-sheets of rdifferent thicknesses to lou said cylinder upon actuation of'said secondl mentioned rocker-arm by said cam.

30. A stenciling machine including a rotatable stenciling cylinder, a work-sheet-support co-operating therewith to advance a work-sheet past the stenciling position, mtermittently operated work-sheet feeding means in advance of said su port, a handle-member on said cylinder and) justable-thereon so as to predetermme the space at the top of the work-sheet, and a timing cam adjustable as a unit with said handle-member and operable through intermediate mechanism to control said 'feeding means. 31. A 'stencling machine including a ro tat'ablestenciling cylinder, a platen-roller cooperating with sald cylinder'vto advance awork-sheet past the stenciling position, a

normally continuously operative stop for al1-- tomatically limiting further movement of said cylinder in a stenciling direction after the completion 4of a Asteneiling cycle, and

tion.

32. A stenciling machine including va. ro-

tatable stenciling cylinder, aplaten-roller codas means for. throwing saidstop out ofop'era-V completion of a stenci work-sheet past the stenciling position, a sto for limiting further movement of said cylinder in a stencilin direction afterthe mg cycle, and worksheet-controlled means for rendering said stop inoperative when a sheet is in proper position in front of the platen-roller.

33. A stenciling machine includin a rotatable stenciling cylinder, a platen-ro ler cooperating therewith to advance a work-sheet pastthe stenciling position. a feed-roller in .advance of said platenroller,. a pressureroller overlying said feed-roller and rock` ably mounted so as to be capable of swing. ing into and out of engagement with said feed-roller, a stop normally operative to engage a fixed member on said cylinder to limit the rotation of the latter in a stenciling direction, a timing cam on said cylinder, and means controlled by said cam for swinging said ressure-roller into engagement with said eed-roller and rendering said stop inoperative.

34. A stenciling machine including a rotatable stenciling cylinder, a platen-roller cooperating therewit to advance a work-sheet past the stenciling position, movable stops in front of said platen and against which a work-sheet may be aligned, a sto normally operative to engage a fixed mem er on said cylinder to limit the rotation of the latter 1n a stenciling direction, a cam on said cylinder, a rock-shaft disposed below said cylinder, crank-arms fixed on said shaft and ivotally connected, respectively, to said' rst and said second mentioned stops, and means controlled by said cam for rocking said shaft to move all of said stops out of operative position.

35. In a stenciling machine having a stenciling cylinder and a platen-roller co-operating therewith the combination of a rockshaft disposed below said roller, movable stop-pins projectin above a paper-feed table in front of said roller, and a movable cylinder-stop normally, in the path of a fixed e ement on said cylinder to limit the movement of said cylinder in a stenciling direc-- tion, said stop-pins and said stop being connected to said rock-shaft, the movements o the parts connected to said shaft with respect to the shaft being so counterbalanced that in the absence of a work-sheet on said table, said pins will project above said table and said shaft will rock so -as to cause movement of said cylinder-stop to operative position, but the pressure on said pins of a work-sheet bein fed to the cylinder and platen-roller wi l be sufficient to cause depression of the pins and rocking of said shaft in an opposite direction to cause movement ofsaid cylinder-stop to inoperative position.

LINDEN A. THATCHER. 

